Haiti footballer wants to win back the I League for the supporters
Kolkata: Hundreds of Mohun Bagan supporters gave a hero’s welcome to Sony Norde on his arrival to the city on Thursday. The Haiti international arrived in Kolkata from New York at 1:50 am via a Qatar Airways flight. Norde will be plying his trade for the third season with the Mariners.
Norde looked visibly tired after the long flight as he came out of the Netaji Subhash International airport. The fans who were waiting in the airport to welcome the Haiti footballer game a loud cheers as he came out. They were with their banners and flags. One of the banner said ‘Prince, welcome to the family son’. The footballer was even handed a bouquet by few fans at the airport.
On being asked what transpired him to sign in favour of Mohun Bagan for another season when he had offers from rival club East Bengal, who literally gave him a blank cheque, Norde said, “It’s because of the supporters (indicating his fans who gave a loud cheer) I decided to stay here for another season. They have been waiting for me at this time. How can you neglect their love and passion? It was their love that brought me here at Mohun Bagan.”
Norde has been in touch with Coach Sanjay Sen since the time of Indian Super League (ISL) matches. “I did not have a word with the coach recently. But I will talk with him very soon,” said Norde.
Sony did see the glimpses of Mohun Bagan’s first match against Churchill Brothers. He expressed his joy to see Balwant scoring a goal after coming back from injury in the I League opener. According to Norde, “I am very happy for Balwant. He was out with an injury for a long time. It’s good for him and the team that he scored. I am even happier as his goal won us the match.”
Norde’s compatriot Wedson Anselme has been roped in by East Bengal. Both of them were part of Dhaka club Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi few seasons back. Asked about his duel with Wedson when both the teams meet each other in the first derby on February 12, Norde said, “He is a good friend of mine. He will come to my house while I will reciprocate the same. We will play against each other on the field and that too for 90 minutes. And it’s not Sony Norde versus Wedson but Mohun Bagan will play against East Bengal.”
On being asked whether the team can win back the I League this season, a confident Sony said, “The team looks very good this season. We definitely want to win the I League for the fans. At the same time we want to do well in the AFC Cup as well. Bengaluru FC played the final last season, so we also want to reach the final or even go one step further.”
Lastly, the Haiti footballer was asked whether he want to dedicatea the I League for his new born son not. “I do not want to look at that way. All of us want Mohun Bagan to do well in the I League,” signed off the most expensive foreign footballer in I League amidst loud cheers from the fans.